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Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX

Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX processor review

Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX: Benchmark Results and First Laptops

Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX is an 18-core Arrow Lake-HX processor designed for powerful gaming and workstation laptops. It is positioned between the Core Ultra 5 245HX and the Core Ultra 7 255HX: it has four additional E-cores compared to the former and two fewer P-cores than the latter.

Twelve E-cores assist in rendering, compiling, and other highly parallel tasks. However, the performance of a specific laptop will depend on cooling and power limits set by manufacturers: the processor can consume up to 160W.

Benchmark Results

The Core Ultra 7 251HX was released later than the Core Ultra 7 255HX and other early Arrow Lake-HX models, so benchmark results are still limited. Even less frequently, the database specifies the exact laptop model and memory configuration.

Benchmark Result Type Result
Geekbench 6 Single-Core Lenovo Legion 5 15IAX11, specific run 2,940
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Lenovo Legion 5 15IAX11, specific run 15,277
Cinebench R23 Single-Core Average from database 2,081
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core Average from database 30,428
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core Consolidated value 130
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core Consolidated value 1,762
PassMark Single Thread Preliminary average 4,611
PassMark CPU Mark Preliminary average 46,541

The average result in multi-threaded Cinebench R23 is about 30,000 points. This is a primary benchmark for assessing the 251HX's performance in rendering, encoding, and other tasks that stress all cores.

The Geekbench 6 Multi-Core result deviates significantly from the overall trend. Currently, there is only one run with a specific laptop model - Lenovo Legion 5 15IAX11. One test is insufficient to determine whether the number reflects the processor's capabilities or the configuration's specific settings.

The average PassMark score is based on only a few results and cannot yet be considered established.

How the 251HX Differs from the 245HX and 255HX

Like other Arrow Lake-HX processors, the Core Ultra 7 251HX does not support Hyper-Threading: its 18 cores handle 18 threads.

The new model differs from the Core Ultra 5 245HX by having four additional E-cores and a larger L3 cache. The most significant performance gain is expected in rendering, archiving, video encoding, and other tasks that can leverage all cores.

The Core Ultra 7 255HX has eight P-cores instead of six. This gives the higher-end model an advantage in compiling, CPU-intensive gaming, and workloads where high single-threaded and multi-threaded performance are both critical.

Thus, the 251HX is not a downclocked version of the 255HX but a distinct model with a different ratio of P- and E-cores.

Gaming Performance Depends on GPU and Cooling

The six P-cores should not significantly throttle the RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 in most games at a resolution of 2560 × 1600. Under such conditions, the difference between the RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 is usually more crucial than the difference between the 251HX and 255HX.

The advantages of the higher-end processor are more noticeable in strategy games, simulators, and eSports games with high frame rates. The two additional P-cores can enhance minimum frame rates and reduce drops in complex scenes.

Intel allows a turbo power consumption of up to 160W for the 251HX, but laptop manufacturers often set lower limits. Larger models typically sustain higher frequencies longer, while thin chassis reduce power more quickly under sustained loads.

In the testing of a specific laptop, it is important to consider not just peak figures but also results after several minutes of load:

  • sustained CPU power;
  • GPU TGP;
  • temperature and noise level;
  • number of memory modules and their frequency;
  • results of prolonged multi-threaded tests.

Different laptops with the Core Ultra 7 251HX often differ more significantly than between the 251HX and 255HX in the same chassis.

Laptops with Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX

The Core Ultra 7 251HX is already being installed in gaming laptops and mobile workstations from Lenovo and MSI.

Lenovo Legion 5 15IAX11

The only found Geekbench 6 result with an explicitly specified device comes from the Lenovo Legion 5 15IAX11.

For this model, a 15.3-inch display with a resolution of 2560 × 1600 and GPUs up to GeForce RTX 5070 are available. The version with RTX 5060 is aimed at more budget-friendly gaming configurations, while the RTX 5070 offers a greater performance boost than switching to the Core Ultra 7 255HX while keeping the lower-tier GPU.

Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IAX10

The Legion Pro 5 features a 16-inch display with a resolution of 2560 × 1600 and a refresh rate of up to 240Hz. Lenovo offers configurations with RTX 5060 and RTX 5070.

The large chassis provides more cooling possibilities, but the actual power limits should be checked based on tests of the specific version.

Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 6

The ThinkBook 16p offers the Core Ultra 7 251HX and discrete graphics in a more subdued chassis compared to the gaming-focused Legion and MSI models.

This model is primarily designed for work tasks, although it has a hardware configuration similar to gaming laptops. It is suitable for those who need high performance without the typical gaming design.

MSI Raider 16 Max HX B2W

One of the configurations combines the Core Ultra 7 251HX, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and a 2560 × 1600 display with a 240Hz refresh rate.

The RTX 5070 Ti makes this version the most powerful among those listed for gaming, 3D rendering, and local AI tasks. Such a laptop is better seen as a desktop replacement rather than a model designed for constant battery-powered use.

MSI Crosshair 16 Max HX E2W

The Crosshair 16 Max HX is available with RTX 5060 and RTX 5070. Some configurations use an OLED display with a resolution of 2560 × 1600.

This model is positioned below the Raider in MSI’s lineup, so with the same CPU and GPU, their power limits may differ. For a direct comparison, GPU TGP and sustained CPU power values are needed.

Integrated Graphics and NPU

The integrated Intel Graphics with three Xe-cores provides display output and decodes video, allowing the discrete GPU to be turned off under light workloads. It is not designed for gaming - all found laptops with the 251HX are equipped with GeForce RTX.

Support for Quick Sync, AV1, HEVC, and H.264 is useful for video editing, screen recording, and transcoding.

The NPU provides 13 TOPS, so its capabilities are limited for modern local AI functions. In heavy AI tasks, the GeForce RTX still takes on the main load.

Who Is the Core Ultra 7 251HX For?

The Core Ultra 7 251HX makes sense to choose for:

  • gaming with RTX 5060, RTX 5070, or RTX 5070 Ti;
  • rendering and video encoding;
  • compiling large projects;
  • simultaneously working with multiple virtual machines.

With the same GPU, cooling, and price, the Core Ultra 7 255HX is preferable due to its two additional P-cores.

A laptop with the 251HX is more advantageous if it offers a more powerful GPU or better cooling at a lower price.

Conclusion

The Core Ultra 7 251HX fills the gap between the 14-core Core Ultra 5 245HX and the 20-core Core Ultra 7 255HX. The four additional E-cores give it an edge over the 245HX in multi-threaded tasks, while the two missing P-cores leave the 255HX ahead in more demanding workloads.

Average results reach around 30,000 points in Cinebench R23 and 46,500 in PassMark, but these were obtained on different devices, and the sample size is still small.

When choosing a gaming laptop, upgrading from RTX 5060 to RTX 5070 is usually more significant than upgrading from 251HX to 255HX. The higher-end processor should be selected if the additional P-cores are genuinely necessary, without compromising the GPU and cooling quality.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Mobile
Launch Date
January 2026
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
251HX
Code Name
Products formerly Arrow Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
18
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
18
Performance-cores
6
Efficient-cores
12
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
Yes
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
5.1 GHz
Performance-core Base Frequency
2.9 GHz
Efficient-core Base Frequency
2.5 GHz
Efficient-core Max Turbo Frequency
?
Maximum E-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.
4.5 GHz
Instruction Set Extensions
Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency
?
Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.
5.1 GHz
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
?
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.
Yes
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
No
Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 identifies the best performing core(s) on a processor and provides increased performance on those cores through increasing frequency as needed by taking advantage of power and thermal headroom.
No
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
2.0
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
30 MB Intel® Smart Cache
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FCBGA2114
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Yes
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
TSMC N3B
Processor Base Power
?
The time-averaged power dissipation that the processor is validated to not exceed during manufacturing while executing an Intel-specified high complexity workload at Base Frequency and at the junction temperature as specified in the Datasheet for the SKU segment and configuration.
55 W
Maximum Turbo Power
?
The maximum sustained (>1s) power dissipation of the processor as limited by current and/or temperature controls. Instantaneous power may exceed Maximum Turbo Power for short durations (<=10ms). Note: Maximum Turbo Power is configurable by system vendor and can be system specific.
160 W
Minimum Assured Power
45 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
105 °C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
5.0 and 4.0
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
64-bit
Intel 64
?
Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.
Yes
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
?
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.
Yes
PCI Express Configurations
?
PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.
1x16+2x4, 2x8+2x4, 1x8+4x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
Up to DDR5 6400 MT/s
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
ECC Memory Support
?
ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
No

GPU Specifications

GPU Name
Intel® Graphics
GPU Max Dynamic Frequency
1.8 GHz
Graphics Base Frequency
?
Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.
300 MHz
Xe-cores
3
DirectX Support
?
DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.
12
Max Resolution (DP)
?
Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)
?
Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.
3840 x 2400 @ 120Hz
Max Resolution (HDMI)
?
Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz (HDMI 2.1 TMDS)
7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz (HDMI 2.1 FRL)
Number of Displays Supported
4
Graphics Output
?
Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.
eDP1.4b, DP 2.1 UHBR20, HDMI 2.1 FRL
OpenGL Support
?
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
4.5
OpenCL Support
?
OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for heterogeneous parallel programming.
3
Intel Quick Sync Video
?
Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.
Yes

AI Specifications

Intel Gaussian Neural Accelerator
?
Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator (GNA) is an ultra-low power accelerator block designed to run audio and speed-centric AI workloads. Intel® GNA is designed to run audio based neural networks at ultra-low power, while simultaneously relieving the CPU of this workload.
3.5
NPU Name
Intel® AI Boost
Intel Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost) on CPU
?
A new set of embedded processor technologies designed to accelerate AI deep learning use cases. It extends Intel AVX-512 with a new Vector Neural Network Instruction (VNNI) that significantly increases deep learning inference performance over previous generations.
Yes

Interfaces and Ports

Intel Volume Management Device (VMD)
?
Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD) provides a common, robust method of hot plug and LED management for NVMe-based solid state drives.
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24

Miscellaneous

Official Website
Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
?
Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
?
Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.
Yes
Intel Active Management Technology (AMT)
No
Intel High Definition Audio
Yes
Intel Boot Guard
?
Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.
Yes
Intel Control-Flow Enforcement Technology
?
CET - Intel Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) helps protect against the misuse of legitimate code snippets through return-oriented programming (ROP) control-flow hijacking attacks.
Yes
Intel OS Guard
Yes

Benchmarks

Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
4611
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
46541

Compared to Other CPU

Passmark CPU Single Core
M5 Max (32-core GPU)
5947 +29%
Core i9-14900KF
4720 +2.4%
Core Ultra 7 251HX
4611
Core Ultra X9 388H
4451 -3.5%
Core Ultra X7 358H
4282 -7.1%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
53977 +16%
EPYC 7413
50223 +7.9%
Core Ultra 7 251HX
46541
EPYC 9124
43999 -5.5%
Core i5-14600KF
39395 -15.4%

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